Family: Umbelliferae; other members include carrot, parsley
Genus and spcies: Centella asiatica or Hydrocotyle asiatica
Also known as: Sheep rot, Indian pennywort, marsh penny, water pennywort, hydrocotyle
Parts used: Leaves
This herb gained reputation as a longevity promoter, and a Sinhalese proverb advised – “Two leaves a day keep old age away.”
HEALING with Gotu Kola
Any longevity claims for gotu kola as farfetched as the tale of Li Ching Yu. But modern science has found support for other traditional claims for this ancient herb.
1. Wound Healing. Gotu kola may spur wound healing. It accelerates healing of burns and minimizes scarring.
2. Psoriasis. Supporting its traditional use for skin diseases, it showed that a gotu kola cream can help relieve the painful scaly red welts of psoriasis. Seven psoriasis sufferers used the cream. It healed the welts in five within two months, and only one of the five experienced any recurrence within four months after the treatment ended. Gotu kola cream is not available commercially, but you can use a compress of gotu kola infusion to help treat psoriasis.
3. Leprosy. Gotu kola’s traditional use in treating leprosy (now called Hansen’s disease) was supported by a study published in Britain. The bacteria that cause leprosy have a waxy coating, which protects them against attack by the immune system. Gotu kola contains a chemical (asiaticoside) that dissolves this waxy coating, allowing the immune system to destroy the bacteria.
4. Leg Circulation. Gotu kola also may help promote blood circulation in the lower limbs, those with venous insufficiency.
5. Intriguing Possibility. Poor circulation through the legs causes varicose veins. Gotu kola has not been studied specifically as a treatment of this condition, but it’s possible ability to improve leg circulation might help prevent and treat varicosities.
Any longevity claims for gotu kola as farfetched as the tale of Li Ching Yu. But modern science has found support for other traditional claims for this ancient herb.
1. Wound Healing. Gotu kola may spur wound healing. It accelerates healing of burns and minimizes scarring.
2. Psoriasis. Supporting its traditional use for skin diseases, it showed that a gotu kola cream can help relieve the painful scaly red welts of psoriasis. Seven psoriasis sufferers used the cream. It healed the welts in five within two months, and only one of the five experienced any recurrence within four months after the treatment ended. Gotu kola cream is not available commercially, but you can use a compress of gotu kola infusion to help treat psoriasis.
3. Leprosy. Gotu kola’s traditional use in treating leprosy (now called Hansen’s disease) was supported by a study published in Britain. The bacteria that cause leprosy have a waxy coating, which protects them against attack by the immune system. Gotu kola contains a chemical (asiaticoside) that dissolves this waxy coating, allowing the immune system to destroy the bacteria.
4. Leg Circulation. Gotu kola also may help promote blood circulation in the lower limbs, those with venous insufficiency.
5. Intriguing Possibility. Poor circulation through the legs causes varicose veins. Gotu kola has not been studied specifically as a treatment of this condition, but it’s possible ability to improve leg circulation might help prevent and treat varicosities.
Gotu kola has a sedative effect on laboratory animals. Sedation has never been reported in humans, but some scientists claim it is possible. In animals, large doses are narcotic, causing stupor and possibly coma. Some scientists warn this reaction is also possible in humans, echoing the Eclectics, who advised against ingesting the herb. It might however, help fight insomnia; just don’t use more than recommended amounts.
Ironically, reports have also appeared claiming gotu kola causes restlessness and insomnia, which is rather odd for a purported “narcotic.” Apparently these cases involved the caffeine-containing herb, kola, which is mislabeled as gotu kola. Gotu kola is not related to true Kola (Cola nitida), the caffeine-containing nut used in cola drinks.
Rx for Gotu Kola
Use an infusion of gotu kola to help improve circulation in the legs. Or give it a try if you have insomnia. For an infusion, use ½ teaspoon per cup of boiling water. Drink up to 2 cups a day. Gotu kola tastes bitter and astringent; adding sugar, honey, and lemon, or mixing it into an herbal beverage blend will improve its flavor.
Rx for Gotu Kola
Use an infusion of gotu kola to help improve circulation in the legs. Or give it a try if you have insomnia. For an infusion, use ½ teaspoon per cup of boiling water. Drink up to 2 cups a day. Gotu kola tastes bitter and astringent; adding sugar, honey, and lemon, or mixing it into an herbal beverage blend will improve its flavor.
To help treat wounds or psoriasis topically, try compresses made from gotu kola infusion. If results are disappointing, try a stronger infusion.
Gotu kola should not be given to children under age 2. For internal use by older children and people over 65, start with a low-strength preparation and increase strength if necessary.
SAFETY FACTOR
The only confirmed side effect in humans is skin rash in sensitive individuals.
The only confirmed side effect in humans is skin rash in sensitive individuals.
The chemical asiaticoside that helps against leprosy also appears to be weakly carcinogenic. A concentrated solution of the isolated chemical was applied to the skin of mice twice a week for 18 months (a long time in mouse terms), and 2.5% developed skin tumors. The risk to humans, if any, from occasional use of weaker, smaller doses of the whole herb remains unclear but appears minimal. Nonetheless, those with a history of cancer might reasonably decide not to use it. When in doubt, consult your physician.
Other Cautions
The FDA considers gotu kola an herb of “undefined safety.” For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults who have no history of cancer and are not taking other tranquilizers or sedatives, gotu kola is considered relatively safe in amounts typically recommended.
The FDA considers gotu kola an herb of “undefined safety.” For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults who have no history of cancer and are not taking other tranquilizers or sedatives, gotu kola is considered relatively safe in amounts typically recommended.
Gotu kola should only be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with a physician. If gotu kola causes minor discomtorts, such as a rash or headache, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.
Ref.: Healing Herbs, by Michael Castleman, 1991
